Elevate Your Career: Top Certifications for Entry Level Network Security Professionals

The Australian Network Security Engineering market is rapidly growing, causing very high demand for qualified Network Engineers. There are currently 5,200 jobs Australia wide listed on Seek with opportunities across the country. If you are interested in a career in network engineering, there are multiple certifications that you can earn to improve your chances of getting a job.

In this blog post, we will discuss the best certifications for entry level network security engineering jobs in Australia. We will also provide some tips on how to choose the right certification for you.

There are numerous accreditations that are considered to be valuable for entry level network security engineering jobs in Australia. Some of the most popular certifications our clients highlight they look for in the perfect candidates include:

Network Specific Certifications

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): The CCNA is a foundational certification that covers the basics of networking. It is a good starting point for anyone who wants to learn about networking or who wants to start a career in network engineering.

• HPE Aruba Certified Associate - Mobility (ACMA): This certification is designed for individuals who are new to networking and who want to learn about Aruba wireless networking. The ACMA covers the basics of wireless networking.

• CompTIA Network+: The Network+ is another foundational certification that covers the basics of networking. It is similar to the CCNA and ACMA, but it is not as vendor-specific. Learn more or register now with a 15% discount using our partnership link here.

• Juniper Certified Network Engineer (JNCIA-Junos): The JNCIA-Junos is a certification that is focused on Juniper networks. It is a good option for people who want to work with Juniper networks or who want to specialise in Juniper networking.

• Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA): The RHCSA is a certification that is focused on Red Hat Linux systems. It is a good option for people who want to work with Linux systems or who want to specialise in Linux administration.

Firewall & Security Specific Certifications

• Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET): This certification is for entry-level cybersecurity professionals who want to learn about Palo Alto Networks firewalls.

Cloud Network Specific Certifications

• Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions (AZ-700): The AZ-700 is a certification that is focused on Azure. It is a good option for people who want to work in cloud environments or who want to specialise in Azure. 

How to Choose the Right Certification for You:

When choosing a certification, it is important to consider both your career goals and your interests. Some of these certifications are very vendor specific, but often skills are transferrable between different networks. At e2 Cyber we’ve found the CCNA holds the greatest weight in the Australian market with 40% of engineers holding a CISCO certification according to LinkedIn. We also find most client’s employee CISCO or HP Networks. 

Here are some factors to consider when choosing a certification:

• Your career goals: What do you want to do as a network engineer? Do some research on the different vendors and find out which you want to work with; Cisco networks, HP networks, or other systems?
• Your interests: What are you interested in learning about? Do you want to learn about the basics of networking, or do you want to specialise in a particular area?

The best certifications for entry level network engineering jobs in Australia vary depending on your career goals and interests. However, the certifications listed above are all valuable and can help you improve your chances of getting a job.

If you are serious about a career in network engineering, we highly recommend that you earn one or more of these certifications. They will demonstrate your skills and knowledge to potential employers and help you get your foot in the door. If you are still unsure on which is the right path for you, reach out to a member of our team to chat through your interests and career goals for advice that is specific to your situation.